Cirrhosis Flashcards
What forms the portal vein?
- superior mesenteric artery
- splenic vein
- gastric vein
- inferior mesenteric
What is an effect of portal hypertension?
- anastomose may become engorged, dilated or varicose
- may rupture
What is the categories of portal hypertension?
- prehepatic
- intrahepatic (presinusoidal & postsinusoidal)
What are the clinical features of compensated cirrhosis?
- asymptomatic
- spider naevi
- palmar erythema
- clubbing
What are the clinical features of decompensated cirrhosis?
- jaundice
- ascites
- encephalopathy
- easy bruising
What is important to make sure your patients who have cirrhosis are?
- maintained fed state
- high energy diet
How is ascites diagnosed?
- shifting dullness
- blackness on U/S
What causes ascites?
- sodium imbalance
What are treatment options for ascites?
- diuretics
- reduce sodium intake
- paracentis
- TIPSS
- transplantation
What diuretic is used in ascites?
- spinoolactone
- recurrent ascites–> spironolactone + loop diuretics
When should paracentis be conducted
- kidneys won’t tolerate diuretics
- relief load
- albumin should be given
Explain TIPSS
- Transjuglar intrahepatic portosystemic shunt
- reduced portal hypertension
Why is it important to do a tap test on all ascites?
- spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
- deadly
What is a sign of encephalopathy?
- slow flap of wrists
What scoring system is used for oesophageal varices bleeding?
- Childs score
